On 16 March, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was informed of a suspected piracy related incident on a Yemeni-flagged dhow off Durdura, in the vicinity of Eyl, Northern coast of Puntland (Somalia).
The incident is under investigation and has been classified as hijack. According to the latest information, up to seven hijakers remain on board. The dhow has a crew of eight Somali nationals. EUNAVFOR ATALANTA is monitoring the event and coordinating closely with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and with the Yemeni Coast Guard.
This incident comes one month after the pirate attack on the Yemeni-flagged dhow SAYTUUN-2, released on 24 February. ATALANTA assessment and recommendations are shared through the appropriate channels with the shipping operators and updated on the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) website.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA remains vigilant to any piracy-related events in its Area of Operations to ensure the maritime security. Operation ATALANTA strongly recommends merchant and other vulnerable vessels to register in the MSCIO’s Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS), to provide the most effective monitoring and response by ATALANTA forces and their partners in countering maritime security threats.
